Arsenal Snatch The Points Late On

Next Match | Saturday 18 April Sat 18 Apr

POR

(A)

01 D

11 H

03 M

02 S

Interviews & Features

Heritage

Photos

Arsenal Snatch The Points Late On

Leicester City were in it until the final moments, but a late Mikel Merino brace sealed a 2-0 victory for title-chasing Arsenal at King Power Stadium on Saturday.

2025-02-15T14:48+00:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

15 Feb, 2025

from King Power Stadium

Arsenal Snatch The Points Late On

Leicester City were in it until the final moments, but a late Mikel Merino brace sealed a 2-0 victory for title-chasing Arsenal at King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2025-02-15T14:48+00:00

Arsenal Snatch The Points Late On

Leicester City were in it until the final moments, but a late Mikel Merino brace sealed a 2-0 victory for title-chasing Arsenal at King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2025-02-15T14:48+00:00

Arsenal Snatch The Points Late On

Leicester City were in it until the final moments, but a late Mikel Merino brace sealed a 2-0 victory for title-chasing Arsenal at King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2025-02-15T14:48+00:00

Arsenal Snatch The Points Late On

Leicester City were in it until the final moments, but a late Mikel Merino brace sealed a 2-0 victory for title-chasing Arsenal at King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2025-02-15T14:48+00:00

Merino's 81st-minute header broke the deadlock on a chilly afternoon on Filbert Way, before the Spaniard's side-footed finish six minutes later ended all hope of us taking anything from the game.

This was nevertheless a display with some encouraging signs for City Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. Wilfred Ndidi headed narrowly wide in the first half. And if not for a crucial Myles Lewis-Skully interception, denying Bobby De Cordova-Reid a simple finish before the visitors' two goals, the points could well have been staying in Leicester.

But Mikel Arteta's visitors, now within four points of leaders Liverpool, began to take charge late on. Ethan Nwaneri smashing the woodwork was a warning and Merino's brace ultimately put the game beyond the Foxes. We are still two points adrift of Wolves, in 17th, who travel to Anfield on Sunday.

Woyo's home bow - a new option at full-back

This was Woyo's first outing at King Power Stadium and there were encouraging signs from the Frenchman.

Winter signing Woyo Coulibaly, acquired from Parma last month, was initially named among the substitutes for City. James Justin, mind you, seemed to be struggling with an injury concern as the first half wore on.

Opportunity knocked in the 43rd minute for the Frenchman, taking up the right-back berth in Justin's place. These were his first minutes on Filbert Way after a three-game run on the road. Although playing some part at Spurs, Everton and Man Utd, this was his chance to endear himself to the Blue Army.

Raheem Sterling's second-half withdrawal may well have been down to Coulibaly's impact. Twice the 25-year-old halted Sterling in his tracks. There was no way through, while City's new No.25 also showed little fear when carrying it forwards himself. Albeit early days for Woyo in Leicester, this was a promising start.

The contest heats up at last - chances for both

City did have their chances but weren't able to take control of the contest.

While the neutrals watching along on television may have been yearning for more goalmouth action, van Nistelrooy is likely to have been content with his side's performance at the interval.

You have to go back to 2 November for Arsenal's last Premier League defeat, as Arteta's men try to stay in reach of Liverpool at the summit. With time running out, both sides had to roll the dice eventually. Jurriën Timber's cross deserved to be converted by Merino in the 71st minute, but the Spaniard bundled it wide.

Just two minutes later, victory flashed before Leicester's eyes. Jordan Ayew did especially well down the left channel. He had the option to pass to Bilal El Khannouss in the middle, but he'd spotted De Cordova-Reid at the back post. The ex-Fulham man would have had the most simple of finishes, had it not been for Lewis-Skelly darting back to divert the ball away from under him, willing to concede a corner instead.

The Gunners win it - Merino at the double

Mikel Merino's double consigned City to defeat.

The odds were against City before kick-off, but they'd earned the right to be in contention for at least a point in the final 10 minutes. Arsenal, though, are genuine title contenders this term, the north Londoners hoping to back up successive second-placed finishes with a first title since the 'invincibles' of 2004.

This wasn't the Gunners at their best on Saturday, against a hard-working Foxes side determined to stifle them, also playing neat football of their own when the opportunity presented itself.

That being said, titles are won in a variety of ways, and Arsenal have proven before they have resilience and staying power. Merino, the man who replaced Sterling, was the difference-maker. Nwaneri, who'd just clattered the post himself, laid it up on a plate for Merino to nod home the visitors' first with nine minutes remaining. He was there also to convert Leandro Trossard's low delivery with three to play. A harsh ending for the Foxes, who need no reminding about the fine margins at play in the Premier League.

Analysis and goals - on the LCFC App

Make sure to head back to LCFC.com and the LCFC App over the coming hours. We'll hear from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wilfred Ndidi before goals clips at 10pm and full highlights at midnight.

LATEST HEADLINES

Rowett: James & Ramsey Assessed Pre-Pompey Gary Rowett revealed that Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey are being monitored prior to our trip to Portsmouth.

10 Hours 51 Mins Ago

Pompey Clash Live On Foxes Hub We're at Fratton Park this Saturday lunchtime - here's how to follow the action across Foxes Hub.

11 Hours 56 Mins Ago

McSweeney ‘Really Pleased’ With Leeds Triumph Leon McSweeney believes our Under-21s were rewarded for a high level of performance produced during the 3-2 success over Leeds United on Monday.

15 Apr, 2026

Foxes On Target In World Cup Qualifiers Hannah Cain and Sari Kees both netted in recent FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, while Emily van Egmond scored for Australia.

15 Apr, 2026